Maldden alld a Vol. 29, No. 46 den AADD -FREEV eterans, City officials, including Mayor Gary Christenson, and other members of the public joined Malden American Legion Post #69 in observing Veterans Day with a ceremony held at Bell Rock Park on Wednesday. Legion Vice Veterans Service Officer Larry Clark reminded those in attendance of the true nature of military service and what it means to us all. "Today we stand to remember the most honorable among us. We must continue to carry the burden of their sacrifi ce lest we lose sight of what true freedom is," he said. Traditionally, Malden has held a full-scale parade on Veteran's Day, organized by the Legion and the city's other military-based service organizations. For the fi rst in memory the parade was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Malden Legion home is now located adjacent to the Bell Rock Park on Meridian Street. Malden American Legion Post #69 Veterans Services Offi cer Larry Clark delivers remarks at Bell Rock Park on Veterans Day. (Courtesy Photo) The Advocate - A household word in Malden! CTE OCAT AT www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Malden, Legion Post #69 mark Veterans Day with ceremony at Bell Rock Park 617-387-2200 M alden Superintendent of Schools John Oteri is not seeking a contract extension and will depart at the end of this school year in next June. Supt. Oteri, who will leave after what will be four years at the helm, relayed his decision to forgo a possible extension of his contract to the Malden Public Schools staff and administrators via an email on Tuesday afternoon. The Superintendent had also informed the members of the Malden School Committee and its chairman, Mayor Gary Christenson, of his intentions in a letter on Monday. “After careful thought and consideration I would like to announce that I will not seek an extension to my current contract and my last day in the Malden Public Schools will be June 30, 2021,” Supt Oteri stated. “I will pursue other professional and personal opportunities including spending more time with my family.” Superintendent has deep ties to Malden A Malden High graduate, Oteri is the first “homegrown” Superintendent of Schools in the Malden system since the late George E. Holland, Jr., who, coincidentally, was serving as Superintendent when Oteri attended John Oteri Supt. of Schools Malden High School in the early 1980s. He noted that status in thanking the school board and local community. “I want to thank the Malden School Committee and the Malden School Community for allowing me to lead the district where I grew up and received my education.” Oteri said in his letter. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would have this opportunity.” Oteri was selected as Superintendent by a 6-3 vote of the School Committee in April 2017 from a fi eld of fi ve fi nalists and assumed his post with a threeOTERI | SEE PAGE 12 Some Malden City Councillors want a “pause” on marijuana retail permits Vote narrowly passes resolution which is expected to generate more discussion By Steve Freker A fter all the City Councillors had their say, it became apparent the diagnosis for the nearly one-hour discussion Tuesday on the future of expanded retail marijuana sales may simply have been a case of “weed fatigue” – rather than “buyer’s remorse” – in the permit-granting process. In expressing varying degrees of how they were weary of talking about the issue, the Malden City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday night narrowly voted in favor of a resolution that will essentially lead them to talk about it even more. The City Council spent nearly eight hours over two nights in the past month in a pair of lengthy public hearings which resulted in the granting of special permits which will allow The Malden City Council recently approved special permits for two marijuana and cannabis product sales establishments in the city. (Courtesy Photo) the sale of marijuana and other cannabis products in retail outlets by two separate outfi ts, on two opposite sides of the city. The fi rst public hearing, which was held in late September, ran just under four hours before the City Council voted, 8-3, to grant a special permit to Misty Mountain LLC, which is headed up by Erik Gath, to operate a cannabis MARIJUANA | SEE PAGE 11 E Friday, November 13, 2020 Superintendent of Schools Oteri not seeking contract extension Malden Public Schools leader will depart in June after four years at the helm By Steve Freker
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